Live Updates: Supplementary Elections

Live Updates: Supplementary Elections
Ortom Wins in Benue
4:25 PM
Ortom
From George Okoh in Makurdi
The Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Samuel Ortom as the winner of the Benue governorship election and returned elected.
Ortom who led his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Barrister Emmanuel Jime with  81,554  in the March 9 governorship election that was declared inconclusive, scored an additional 23,430 votes in Saturday’s supplementary election to emerge winner with 434,473 votes. Jime scored 345,155 votes.
Ortom was declared winner of the election by the state returning officer Professor Sabastine Maimako on Sunday evening in Makurdi.
More details shortly…

It’s Official! Tambuwal is Sokoto Governor-elect

1:50 PM

By Onuminya Innocent, Sokoto

The governor of Sokoto State Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has won the Sokoto state governorship election and has been declared the governor-elect.

Announcing the result at Maccido Quranic Institute Sokoto, the returning officer Prof  Fatima Murghtar of Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State said Tambuwal of PDP  polled 512,002 to defeat his closest rival Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto of APC who polled 511,660 .

She said Tambuwal having scored the highest number of lawful votes was returned elected.

Detail shortly…

Rerun Poll: Police Debunk Rumour of Curfew in Kano

1: 33 pm

The Kano State Police Command has dismissed the rumour being peddled that curfew had been imposed on Kano metropolis, as residents await the final results of the governorship election.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, debunked the rumour in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday.

According to him, the rumour, which is being spread through the social media, was not only untrue and unfounded, but was aimed at misinforming the public and create fear and apprehension among the residents.

“If curfew is imposed on Kano, people will be informed through the proper channels not through the social media, “he said.

He, therefore, advised members of the public to ignore the rumour as it was meant to create confusion in the state and beyond.

A NAN correspondent who went round the city reported that most of the residents went about with their lawful businesses.

Even though some business places had opened for business but Sabon Gari and the popular Singer and Kantin Kwari markets have remained closed.

Private vehicle owners and commercial buses as well as commercial tricycle operators were also operating in the city. (NAN)

Supplementary Polls: APC Wins Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos

8:30 PM

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ibeju-Lekki State Constituency I, Mr Fatai Mojeed, winner of the supplementary election in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC conducted supplementary election in nine polling units of the state constituency on Saturday.

The commission had declared the March 9 election in the constituency inconclusive, because of over-voting in the nine polling units, covering two Registration Areas (Ward).

Prof. Rasheed Ojikutu, the Returning Officer for the election, announced the result for the election at the Collation Centre located in INEC office in Ibeju-Lekki council at about 6:30 p.m.

Ojikutu, of the Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Lagos, first read out scores of each political party in March 9 election, before announcing the total votes in the supplementary poll.

According to him, in March 9 election, APC polled 8,525 votes and PDP scored 1, 786, SDP got 63, ADP scored 54 votes, Accord got 50 votes, AD polled 59 votes while other political parties scored less than 40 votes each.

He said that Mojeed polled a total of votes 9,484 to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (NAN) Mrs Tare Oliver who got 1,901 votes.

“I, Prof. Rasheed Kola Ojikutu, hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the constituency I of Ibeju-Lekki in the election held on the 23rd Day of March 2019.

“I declare that Mojeed Fatai Adebola of APC, haven satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected,” ojikutu said.

He added that Accord Party scored 51 votes, AD polled 60 votes, ADC polled 26 votes, SDP got 64 votes, AAC polled 27 votes, ADP got only 55 votes while others got less than 10 votes each.

Ojikutu said that the total registered voters were 122, 442, while the total accredited voters for the election were 12,245.

The party agents took turns to sign the results.

Earlier, Dr Adeola Afonja, the Collation Officer for Ibeju Ward I, reeled out the scores obtained by each of the parties in the six polling units where supplementary election was held in the ward.

According to Afonja, APC polled 520, PDP scored 43 votes, ADC got 2 votes, Accord and ADP got one vote each while other parties got no vote.

She said that the total registered votes of the six polling units where the supplementary election took place were 3,989.

Afonja added that the total accredited voters were 592, total valid votes were 567, rejected votes 22, while the total votes cast were 589.

Also, Dr Ijeoma Patience, the Collation Officer for Iwerekun I, reeled out the scores obtained by each of the parties in the three polling units where supplementary election was held in the ward.

According to her, APC polled 439, PDP scored 72 votes, while other parties got less than 2 votes.

Patience said that the registered voters of the three polling units where the supplementary election took place were 8,722

She added that the total accredited voters were 529, total valid votes 521, rejected votes were 8, while the total vote cast were 529.

NAN reports that out of 12, 711 registered voters in the nine polling units, only 1,118 voters came out to vote in the supplementary election.

Speaking to NAN, Prince Wasiu Elemoro, candidate of PDP for Ibeju-Lekki Federal Constituency described the election as being far better than the previous polls.

Elemoro said that the supplementary election was free, fair and peaceful.

Also speaking, Mr Rasak Alatishe, the APC party agent at the collation centre, commended the peaceful conduct of the voters, expressing satisfaction with the outcome, which Mr Femi Asia, his counterpart from the PDP corroborated.

After being declared winner, Mojeed, who could not hide his joy, thanked the people for the trust reposed in him and promised not to disappoint them. (NAN)

Bala Mohammed Leads in Bauchi Supplementary Election

1:22 PM

From Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

After over 18 hours of waiting for the commencement of collation of Saturday’ s governorship (supplementary) election in Bauchi State, results have been announced with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, scoring the highest number of votes.

Mohammed secured about  6,376 votes, while his closest rival  and incumbent governor, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, of APC, scored 5,117 votes.

However, the returning officer could not make a return and declaration of governor elect because election was not conducted in Tafawa Balewa Local Government, one of the places where elections where cancelled, due to litigation. A Federal High Court will on Monday decide on whether election will hold in Tafawa Balewa LGA.

Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Prof. Kyari Mohammed said, “ As you well know, I cannot make a return because I understand that the case of Tafawa Balewa LGA is in court.”

Supplementary elections were held in 36 Polling Units in 29 Wards across 15 Local Government Areas of the state on Saturday.

The results of the polling units in the affected local government  areas announced by Prof Mohammed are as follow:

1 Bogoro  L.G.A

APC  101

PDP.  478

Total valid votes 582

Rejected 25

Total votes cast 607

2 Misau LGA

PDP 312,

APC 111

Total votes cast 438

Total valid votes 433

Rejected votes cast 08

3.Dass LGA

PDP 358

APC 184

Rejected votes 872

Total votes cast 572

Total valid votes 546

4. Darazo LGA.

PDP 749

APC 824

Rejected votes 36

Total valid votes 1599

Total votes cast 1635

5.Shira LGA 

PDP 86

APC 152

Rejected votes 9

Total valid votes 238

Total votes cast 247

6.Ningi LGA

PDP  791

APC 758

Rejected  79

Total valid votes 1549

Total votes cast  1628

7. Ganjuwa LGA

PDP 353

APC 432

Rejected 18

Total valid votes 785

Total votes cast 803

8 Gamawa LGA

PDP  96

APC 154

Rejected 05

Total valid votes 250

Total votes cast 255

9.Kirfi LGA

PDP 473

APC 206

Rejected 35

Total valid votes 691

Total votes cast 726

10.Shira

PDP 86

APC 152

Rejected 9

Total valid votes 238

Total votes cast 247

11.Itas Gadau LGA

PDP 619

APC 421

Rejected   35

Total valid votes 1079

Total votes cast  1045

12. Alkaleri LGA

PDP 444

APC 264

Rejected 33

Total valid votes715

Total votes cast 748

13. Toro LGA

PDP 828

APC 536

Rejected 47

Total vald votes 1363

Total votes cast 1411

Incidence of cancellation in Tamar – 498, as a result of over-voting.

14. Katagum

PDP 203

APC 261

Rejected 17

Total vald votes 467

Total votes cast 484

Results of polling unit, Madagala 03 with total registered voters of 989 cancelled due to over-voting.

15. Jama’are

PDP 54

APC 74

Rejected 0

Total votes cast 129

Cancellation in Jama’are E, Kagori unit

Reason: Process disrupted. Number of registered votes is 524

Grand Total

PDP 6376

APC 5117.

Difference of 1,259

Rerun: No Serving Commissioner Arrested, Says Kano Govt

07:12 PM

By Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Kano State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, has debunked reports in the social media that the police have arrested a serving commissioner in the state during Saturday’s supplementary elections.

Malam Garba also described the reported loss of life due to violence in some polling units as untrue.

He said these negative, false and disturbing reports were nothing but propaganda of the Kwankwasiyya movement of PDP designed and perpetrated to discredit the conduct of the rerun in the affected areas as they envisaged clear defeat.

He said the elections were conducted peacefully and smoothly adding that there is any breach of law or wrongdoing from the government side as alleged and mischievously spread by the PDP.

Malam Muhammad Garba therefore called on Kano citizens to disregard these fake news and propaganda and remain calm as collation of results continues.

Police Deny Killings in Kano Rerun Poll

6:29pm

A Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Anthony Ogbizi Michael, has debunked social media reports of killings in Gama ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State during the supplementary election on Saturday.

DIG Michael blamed the social media for spreading the fake news.

According to him, the story was the fabrication of the social media.

“There was no such incident or arrest of some people in the any part of the state because the security arrangement was in order,” he said at a press briefing.

“We have not witnessed any incident because voting went on in almost all the polling units smoothly.

“There has not been report of any incident of thugs taking over polling unit. If thugs occupy any polling unit definitely INEC officials will not be there to conduct election,” he said.

Michael said the police command arrested 10 suspected thugs for allegedly carrying weapons in the metropolis.

“Some human beings were arrested in the early hours of today (Saturday) by our men and they were found in group with some weapons like sticks and other things,”he said.

He said investigation into the matter was ongoing, adding that as soon as investigation was concluded, they would be charged to court. (NAN)

Large Turnout of Voters in Bauchi as PDP Wins Malar Giji Polling Unit

5:25pm

By Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

There was large turnout of voters in Bauchi supplementary governorship election held across selected polling units in no fewer than 15 local government areas amidst tight security.

THISDAY checks revealed that the elections held across 15 local government areas of the  state were peaceful, smooth and  hitch-free, with impressive turnout of voters.

Our correspondent also reports that there are no fewer than 22,641 registered voters in the 36 Polling Units in 29 Registration Areas (wards) scattered across 15 of the 20 Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.

However, at the polling unit,  Malar Giji 008, in Bogoro local government,  voters, particularly women were seen in their large numbers, getting accredited and voting without any hitches.

The Presiding Officer in charge of the polling unit, Dapirep Panmun, told our correspondent who monitored the conduct of the exercise in the local government that accreditation commenced as early as 8.00am in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Presiding Officer said that the card reader machines were very functional and the turnout was very impressive compared to the previous governorship election that was marred by low turnout.

Speaking to journalists, a PDP agent and a Bauchi former Commissioner of Mines and Steel, Professor Audu Gani, said that the conduct of the election in the area was peaceful with a large turnout that was unprecedented.

He said that all the sensitive and non-sensitive materials arrived the venue of the election in good time together with INEC officials, adding that no case of violence was recorded so far.

Meanwhile, PDP has won the governorship supplementary polls in Malar Giji Polling unit in Bogoro local government area of Bauchi state.

According to the Presiding Officer, Dapirep Panmun, the PDP polled a total number of 478 to defeat the All Progressive Congress, APC which polled 101 votes.

Malar Giji Polling Unit A & B

Bogoro D Ward, Bogoro LGA

PDP – 478

APC – 101

Total votes cast – 607

Valid votes – 582

Invalid – 25

Polling Officer: Dapirep Panmun

INEC Ends Voting, Commences Sorting, Counting of Ballots in Lagos

3:35pm

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced sorting and counting of ballots at the ongoing supplementary election in Ibeju-Lekki State Constituency I on Saturday.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that voting has ended in most of the nine polling units where the supplementary election is taking place in the area.

At polling 004 and 005 of Ward 01 located at the premises of Customary Court, INEC officials started the crossing of unused ballot papers at 2:05 p.m., while sorting and counting commenced immediately.

The situation was the same at polling unit 06 of the same ward situated at the junction of Ajewole street in the area.

The exercise is being carried out under the watch of various security agencies in the presence of political party representatives.

NAN reported that INEC in Lagos State is conducting supplementary election in nine polling units of Ibeju-Lekki State Constituency I for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat.

The commission had declared the March 9 House of Assembly election in the constituency inconclusive due to over-voting in the nine polling units covering two registration areas of the constituency.

The affected polling units in Ibeju registration area I are polling units 001, 003, 004, 005, 006, and 009, while that of Iwerekun registration area I are polling units 002, 004, and 005. (NAN)

PDP Condemns Attack on Agents, Members in Kano
 
By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
2:55pm
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the violent attacks and alleged killing of its agents and members by thugs unleashed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Kano supplementary election.
The party in a statement Saturday by its National Publicity Secretay, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the PDP had taken stock of all the aggressions in Kano and would use all legitimate means to ensure that all those who perpetuated violence against our members are lawfully tracked down and brought to book.
In the face of this unrelenting aggression by the APC, the party has directed its formation in the state to immediately activate its legitimate defence mechanism to protect its members and supporters in Kano state.
Ologbondiyan stated: “APC thugs, aided by compromised security agents, have been on rampage, invading polling units where they are attacking PDP members and supporters with dangerous weapons, chasing them away from the polling units and preventing them from voting.
“In Gama ward, evidence abounds of how APC thugs attacked and unleashed terror on PDP members during which four of our members where feared killed and many more injured. APC thugs violated the secrecy of the ballot process, beat up and chased away supporters of the PDP after which they engaged in massive ballot stuffing for the APC.
“In other areas in Kano, aliens imported by the APC attempted to participate in the election and attacked journalists and observers who attempted to raise issues on the infraction.”
The PDP therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the international community and all lovers of democracy in Nigeria to rise in condemnation of the APC’s resort to  violence in Kano, knowing the volatile  nature of the state.

Rerun Poll: Police Send Reinforcement to Gama Ward in Kano

2:16pm

The Kano State Police Command has sent more reinforcement of security personnel to Gama ward of Nasarawa Local Government to beef up security at the polling units located in the ward.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano Saturday.

He said that the deployment of additional security personnel to the areas followed the visit by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Anthony Michael to the area.

He said that following the report on the security challenges at the area, the DIG visited the ward to assess the security situation there.

According to him, the deployment of additional security personnel was necessary as part of efforts to enhance security as well as ensure the protection of lives and property in the affected areas.


“The DIG has visited Gama ward to assess the situation and had since sent more reinforcement to protect lives and property,” he said, adding that the situation had since been brought under control.On the alleged arrest of the Commissioner for Special Duties Muktar Ishaq, the police spokesman denied the story, saying: “I am not aware of arrest of any commissioner.”  (NAN)

PDP Calls for Cancellation of Kano Governorship Rerun 

  • Says Thugs Have Taken over Process

1:52pm

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the rerun governorship election ongoing across the 28 local government areas of the state, alleging that thugs have taken over the process.

The Acting Chairman of the party, Rabiu Sulaiman-Bichi, made the call while addressing a news conference in Kano on Saturday.

Bichi said there was need for the commission to cancel the election as the process had completely been taken over by armed political thugs.

“Today this charade called rerun election was slated to hold in Kano and other states but unfortunately, what we have in Kano is nothing but a sham.

“Reports reaching us since yesterday indicated that thugs have allegedly been mobilised to take over all the 208 polling units,” he said.

According to him, the thugs were allegedly brought from Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau and other neighbouring states and were “armed to the teeth” posing as voters in the polling units in the localities.

The chairman alleged that the thugs freely voted with the PVCs that did not belong to them, while some posed as INEC staff.

He said as a peace-loving party, the PDP had alerted security agencies in addition to writing a Letter of Caution to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state on the situation. (NAN)

Supplementary Poll Hitch-free in Bauchi
1:51
Reports across the 15 local government areas of Bauchi where supplementary elections are being conducted indicate hitch-free exercise, with impressive turnout of voters, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.
Checks across some of the polling units in Bogoro, Alkaleri, Darazo, Toro, Dass and Ningi indicated that turnout of the women was more than that of men.
At Mallargiji polling unit in Bogoro, a Presiding Officer, Mr Dapirep Panmunjom, told NAN that proceedings were smooth and that the conduct of voters was impressive.
An election observer, Mr Umar Babaji, commended voters and party agents for their orderly conduct.
He said that in spite of the massive turnout, the exercise was being conducted peacefully without hitches.
The same atmosphere prevailed in polling units visited by NAN, which security were beefed up with police and NSCDC personnel.
The rerun is taking place in 36 polling units spread across 15 local government areas in the state.
The local government areas are Alkaleri, Bogoro, Darazo, Dass, Gamawa, Ganjuwa, Itas-Gadau, Jama’are, Katagum, Kirfi, Misau,Ningi, Shira, Toro and Giade.
The outcome of the supplementary election and that of Tafawa Balewa Local Government, which collation had to be suspended on the orders of a Federal High Court, are required to determine the winner of the governorship election in the state. (NAN)

PDP Raises the Alarm over Plots to Arrest Members in Bauchi

1:31pm

By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it has credible intelligence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has plotted to use ‘compromised security’ personnel for a mass arrest of top PDP leaders in Bauchi state.

The party in a statement Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that it was part of the plan  to put them out of circulation and enable the APC have a field day to rig the supplementary election.

According to him, “The PDP leaders earmarked for the illegal mass arrest by the APC include but not limited to Alhaji Bello Kirfi, Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Suleiman Nazif, Senator Isa Hamma Misau, Alhaji Hamza Akuyam, PDP Bauchi State Chairman, Hon Salisu Zakari Ningi, Hon Ahmed Yerima, Hon Samaila Burgah, Hon Aminu Tukur as well as PDP leaders and agents in the 29 polling units where elections are holding in the state.”

Ologbondiyan stressed that the party had also been informed of plots by the APC to unleash its thugs and compromised security agents to storm polling units between 1pm to 3pm to snatch election materials and change results and take them to INEC office in Bauchi for collation and announcement.

The party however stated that such underhand scheme by the APC would not deter it from standing firm in resisting all aggression and consolidating on our already established victory in Bauchi state.

The party added that Nigerians should hold the APC responsible should any harm befall any of its leaders or members in Bauchi state during and after the elections.

Ologbondiyan noted that all party members in the state  were monitoring the electoral process; stressing that the party would never allow any alteration of results as delivered at the polling units and that nobody, no matter the machination deployed, can rig us out in this election.

In Sokoto, Politicians Clash at Polling Units

1:15pm

 Some notable party chieftains in Sokoto have engaged in popularity supremacy at Magajin Gari ward ‘B’ Shiyyar Danfarijo polling unit 005 and 009, where supplementary polls are taking place.

This led to chaos in the supplementary poll for the  Sokoto North local government area of Sokoto state.

The presence of party Chieftains, Alhaji Murtala Daniya of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two All Progressives Congress (APC)  chieftains, Alhaji Abdullahi Hassan, a one time chairman of Sokoto North LGA and APC youth leader, Nasiru Italiya, at the polling center disrupted the procesess.

Police had to use teargas on the crowd and deploy  more personnel before normalcy was restored after the election was put on hold for about three hours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Daniya of the PDP,  who was among the early voters, displayed his ballot sheet to the  public, a situation that led to throwing  of sand and objects at  INEC officials, security men and the party chieftains.

The Presiding Officer, Mr Otu Cassius, told NAN that they reported  for election duty as early as 7 a.m and that  screening and voting commenced simultaneously as there were no hitches with the card reader.

Cassius, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, said the processes were well until the incident.

A PDP agent at the polling unit, Alhaji Bashiru Abdulkadir, told NAN that it was right for Daniya to publicly display what he voted because even a presidential candidate did it after voting in the just concluded presidential election.

However, the APC agent Muntari Muhammad, opposed the position, stressing that  it violated electoral laws and said he had lodged a complaint to the authorities.

NAN reports that voting went smoothly at Sarkin Yaki Polling unit 008 in Sarkin
Musulmi Ward ‘B’ and Danhilin Hubbare polling unit 004 also in Sarkin Musulmi Ward ‘B’ in Sokoto North LGA.

The presiding officers at the units, Ahmad Hassan and Sa’adatu Adamu, said they reported early and election commenced at 8 a.m.

APC State Treasurer, Alhaji Haruna Adiya, who voted at Kyafe polling unit 008 in Magajin Rafi ward ‘B’, urged authorities to deploy more security men to regulate the rowdy situation.

Mr Zakari Umar, the Supervisor of Domestic Election Observer in Sokoto North LGA, said the processes were orderly in line with regulations.

Umar, who is from YAGA Africa said incident forms were being compiled to be reported to relevant authorities.

NAN gathered that vote buying became the order of the day at Rajiya polling unit 004 in Sokoto South local government area.

The situation led to the arrival of  the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Danjuma, and other security chiefs at the polling unit.

ASP. Muhammad Sadiq, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) assured that the situation was under control.

“In every election we expect some challenges but presently the situation is under control as you can see.

“We will tackle all irregularities and maintain the peaceful atmosphere through out the exercise, ” he said.

In  separate interviews, the state Commissioner of Finance and Higher Education Alhaji Sa’idu Umar and Prof. A’isha Madawaki urged security agencies to remain vigilant in ensuring the success of the re-run.

They expressed confidence in the overall process and urged INEC and other stakeholders to play the game by the rules.

NAN reports that  Police directive on restriction of vehicular movements from 8 a.m to 6 p.m was flouted.

The supplementary elections witnessed high turnout generally, but amidst security challenges, with residents calling for deployment of more security personnel.

The rerun is  being conducted in 135 polling units across 22 local government areas of the state to determine who wins the governorship seat. (NAN)

Low Turnout of Voters in Benue

1:06pm

The ongoing Governorship and State House of Assembly supplementary elections in most polling units in Local Government Areas (LGA’s) across Benue has been characterised by low turnout of voters, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN correspondents, who monitored the polls on Saturday in Makurdi, Gwer, Otukpo local government areas, report that the turnout was poor compared to the Presidential and National Assembly polls in the state.

In some polling units, there were no queues as those who came to vote were promptly attended to by polling unit officials.

NAN reports that normal commercial activities were ongoing at Taraku and Aliade in Gwer East LGA, where the supplementary poll was ongoing in Mbalom council ward.

Vehicles were seen loading bags of fermented wet cassava paste (Akpu) to other rural markets for sale.

In Otukpo town, the general mood did not reflect the conduct of any election in the place.

The Otukpo motor park was as usual beehive of activities while motorcycle operators were busy conveying passengers to their destinations.

Shops and other businesses were also conducting their normal routine business activities.

Some of the voters blamed the low turnout on what they termed ” politicians’ deceitful ways”.(NAN)

 

Voting Underway in Ibeju-Lekki Area of Lagos
12:53am

Voters came out in trickles at Ibeju-Lekki state constituency I, where supplementary elections held in Lagos State on Saturday.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored the election reports that accreditation and voting commenced at 8:00am at Polling Units 001, 003, 004, 005, and 006 of Ward 01, Ibeju Registration Area.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and materials arrived the polling units before 8:0am and the units were open at 8:00am.

Security personnel, comprising Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence corps(NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) were also around to provide security in all the polling units.

The voter turnout was however low as INEC officials on ground were seen waiting for voters to come out to vote.

Voters were trickling into the polling units at 10:00am in most of the polling units.

Baale Erinle Kazeem of Okegun Odofin in Ibeju-Lekki said he was sure that the supplementary election would be peaceful.

The traditional ruler, who cast his vote at about 10:00am at polling until 001 of Ward 01, however, said that the notice for the supplementary election was short.

He said that many of the youths and residents of the area had left for the Lagos metropolis for different engagements.

Mrs Fatimon Ashafa, APC agent at PU 001 said: “We were not aware of this supplementary election until Thursday and we went out to inform our people, though the notice was too late.”

The PDP agent, Mr Suru Fashinu, at same unit told NAN that the supplementary election had never happened in the area and most residents were not aware of it.

Fashinu, who adjudged the election to be free and fair, expressed concern over the low voter turnout.

Mrs Gbemisola Omoshola, the PDP agent at PU 006 at the junction of Ajewole said that the election had been smooth without any problem.

Omoshola said “I am satisfied with the process but people are not coming out because it is a supplementary election.”

Prince Adeshina Anisere, the APC agent at the same unit said: “Everything is going on peacefully, we are together and one with other parties. No fight and argument.”

Mr Omoku Ijaodola, PDP agent at PU 004 located in the premises of customary court, Ibeju-Lekki said that the election had been free and fair since it started at 8:00am, while his counterpart Mr Akinlabi Akinkunmi in PU005 affirmed same.

Mr Saheed Ijaodola, APC agent at 005, said “People are coming to exercise their franchise, we are happy with the peaceful conduct.”

NAN reports that INEC is conducting supplementary election in nine polling units of Ibeju-Lekki state constituency I for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat.

The commission had declared the March 9 house of assembly election in the constituency inconclusive because of over-voting in the nine polling units covering two Registration Areas (Ward) of the constituency.

The affected polling units in Ibeju Registration Area I are polling units 001, 003, 004, 005, 006, and 009, while that of Iwerekun Registration Area I are polling units 002, 004, and 005 (NAN)

Large Turnout of Voters in Tudun Wada as Plateau Elects Governor

12:47pm

Tudun Wada polling unit 027, in Jos North Local Government of Plateau, has witnessed a large turnout of voters in the on-going rerun election to determine the state’s governor.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the polling point, reports that accreditation and voting started early, while the officials arrived the area before 7 a.m.

NAN also observed that the voters were orderly and peaceful.

According to the presiding officer, Ima-obong Ernest, the polling unit has a voting strength of 1,297 voters.

Some of the local observers, who spoke to NAN, said that the turnout was encouraging and commendable.

“We actually thought that people will not come out en masse, but here we are with a huge crowd of people anxious to vote,” an observer told NAN.

A voter, Mike Ekong, told NAN that the security arrangement was stringent and intense to avoid any form of distraction. (NAN)

Massive Turnout in Keffi East Constituency Polling Unit

12:44pm

A large turnout of voters has been witnessed in the ongoing rerun election to determine who will represent Keffi East in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), who visited Makera polling unit at Angwan Rimi ward, the only voting point where the rerun was being held, found many voters waiting on the queue to vote.

NAN recalls that on March 10, INEC declared the result of Keffi East Constituency inclusive. The SDP candidate, Abdullazi Sule, was leading his APC counterpart, Mohammed Wada, with 97 votes, while 1052 votes were canceled.

Sule scored 7234 votes, while Wada had 7137.

Mr Bala Kabiru, a voter, who spoke with NAN, expressed happiness with the orderliness of the process.

“I am happy that I have just voted. I have voted the candidate of my choice,” he said.

Musa Salisu, another voter, said that the conduct of the election was satisfactory.

“I voted around 8: 40am and I am happy that I did that on time and can go home to do other things.”

Miss Aisha Aliyu, another voter, also expressed happiness with the conduct of the exercise so far.

She expressed optimism that the exercise would be peaceful (NAN)

INEC Puts Supplementary Election on Hold in Bayelsa Constituency

12:39pm

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has put on hold,  the supplementary elections in Brass Constituency 1 following a court order to include omitted units in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal High Court in Yenagoa had on Friday, ordered the Electoral Commission to include omitted polling units in the supplementary elections in the constituency.

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Monday Udoh, the Bayelsa REC,  announced that out of the three constituencies earlier scheduled for the polls, election was now holding in two, including Southern-Ijaw IV and Ogbia 11.

“INEC wishes to inform the good people of Bayelsa that the supplementary polls to conclude results in three constituencies namely: Brass 1, Ogbia 11, and Souther-Ijaw IV, is holding on March 23 with the exception of Brass 1.

“The conduct of supplementary in Brass 1, ward 6 polling units 11-16 has been put on hold by an interlocutory order of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa in suit No: FHC/YNG/CS/41/2019 and dated march 22.

“The supplementary elections in the other two constituencies are holding as scheduled. We wish to inform that necessary arrangements are already in place for a hitch free exercise in those two constituencies.

“As law abiding agency, the commission will inform the stakeholders as soon as the court order is dispensed with on Brass constituency 1,” the REC explained. (NAN)

Police Patrol Kano Streets to Enforce Restriction of Movement Order

12:10pm

Security has been beefed up in and around Kano metropolis as the governorship rerun progresses in parts of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed policemen deployed to enforce the restriction of human and vehicular movement are patrolling some of the major streets of the city to ensure total compliance of the order.

Some of the security personnel were also seen covering some of the areas believed to be volatile even though the election is not taking place there.

The policemen have also been stationed along some major streets of the city.

Most of the residents of the city have complied with restriction of movement order.

NAN reports that some journalists covering the poll had earlier escaped lynching by some suspected thugs at Suntulma Primary School in Gama ward of Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

The newsmen who were in the area to monitor the exercise were chased out of the place by the hoodlums.

The rerun is being conducted to decide the winner between two candidates – Abba Kabir-Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 1,014,477 votes, and incumbent Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 987,810 votes in the first poll conducted on March 9.

The margin between the candidates stood at 26,655 votes in favour of Kabir-Yusuf. (NAN)

Large Turnout of Voters in Nasarawa Rerun Poll

11:59am

A large turnout of voters has been witnesed in the ongoing rerun election to determine who will represent Keffi East in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited Makera polling unit at Angwan Rimi ward, the only voting point where the rerun was being held, found many voters waiting on the queue to vote.

On March 10, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the result of Keffi East Constituency inclusive.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Abdullazi Sule, was leading his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Mohammed Wada, with 97 votes, while 1,052 votes were cancelled.

Sule scored 7,234 votes, while Wada had 7,137.

Mr Bala Kabiru, a voter, who spoke with NAN, expressed happiness with the orderliness of the process.

“I am happy that I have just voted. I have voted the candidate of my choice,” he said.

Musa Salisu, another voter, said that the conduct of the election was satisfactory.

“I voted around 8:40am and I am happy that I did that on time and cand go home to do other things,” he said.

Miss Aisha Aliyu, another voter, also expressed happiness with the conduct of the exercise so far.

She expressed optimism that the exercise would be peaceful. (NAN)

Journalists Escape Lynching in Kano

11:19am

Some journalists covering the Supplementary Governorship election in Kano State on Saturday escaped lynching by some suspected thugs at Suntulma Primary School in Gama ward of Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

NAN reports that the journalists who were in the area to monitor the poll, were chased out of the place by the hoodlums.

Trouble began when some of the newsmen tried to interview some voters who were denied access into the classrooms where some of the polling units were stationed.

While trying to flee the troubled area, some of the journalists fell on ground and one of them (Name withheld), had to take refuge in a nearby Mosque in order to save his life.

NAN also reports that some of the reporters had their clothes torn by the thugs.

Speaking to newsmen, some voters alleged that they were not allowed to exercise their franchise as they were chased out of the area.

One of them, Comrade Aminu Tijjani, said he went to the primary school to cast his vote at his polling unit but had to return to escape the hoodlums’ attack.

“The situation is very bad and this is not how to conduct an election where people or voters are denied the opportunity to vote,” Tijjani said.

Another voter, Sani Abdullahi, said he came to vote as early as 8 a.m. but was scared away by the suspected thugs numbering about 10.

Meanwhile, voting has commenced in other affected polling units across the 28 local government areas of the state.

NAN reports that the re-run election is being conducted to decide the winner between two candidates – Abba Kabir-Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 1,014,477 votes, and incumbent Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 987,810 votes in the first poll conducted on March 9.

The margin between the candidates stood at 26,655 votes in favour of Kabir-Yusuf. (NAN)

Plateau Police Boss Says Election Going on Peacefully

11:00 am

Plateau Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyode, has said that supplementary election in the state is so far going on peacefully.

Akinmoyode said this on Saturday in Jos in an interview with newsmen when led top security personnel to monitor the election.

According to him, so far the election is going on peaceful in all parts of the state.

“We hope that it will be peaceful till the results are collated and the winner is declared.

“We have adequate security personnel at every polling unit where election is ongoing.

“People should not be afraid of the security, they are there to give them confidence to come and vote.

“The security are here to protect the people, they are here to secure INEC staff and materials,” he siad.

On shutting down of the entire state for just 40 polling units where elections are taking place, Akinmoyode said that measure was to ensure peaceful and successful election.

He said that the command had credible information that some people were planning to interfere with the process.

The CP said that it was better to sacrifice a day to get what we want than to fail.

Akinmoyode said that there was likelihood that people may move from areas where elections are not taking place to cause trouble where elections are holding.

“We have security report and it behoves on us to take the right decision or allow the thing to happen before we start running helter shelter,” he said. (NAN)

Thugs Disrupt Voting in Kano

10:30am

Attack journalists

By Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Some thugs welding weapons on Saturday morning, dispersed voters at Suntulma Gama primary school in Nasarawa local government area of Kano State.

The thugs, who wore tags that identified them as agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were seen carrying weapons and dispersing voters, including journalists who were covering the election.

The thugs attacked a journalist working with The Authority Newspaper, Mr Maduabuchi Nmeribe, and Nigerian Tribune Newspaper correspondent, Mr Kola Oyelere, at Suntulma Gama ward.

They were however rescued by good Samaritans

Details shortly…

Heavy Security as Voting Begins in Makurdi

10:00 am

Security operatives have blocked all major streets within Makurdi township as part of measures to enforce the restriction of movement order within the period of the supplementary elections in the state.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who went round Makurdi township reports that all entry and exit points in the town were blocked to prevent unauthorised movement of people and vehicles.

Armed security personnel were seen at the Wurukum, Highlevel, NorthBank, Wadata market and other major streets in Makurdi to ensure compliance with the directive.

NAN also reports that there is heavy presence of armed security personnel on Makurdi-Gboko road.

Meanwhile, voting has commenced in most polling units in Makurdi.

NAN reports that the Governorship supplementary election is holding in 22 of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, while that of the State House of Assembly is ongoing in 9 local government areas.

At the Modern Market polling unit, Ternamdoo Primary school, voters were seen on queue waiting to vote.

The Presiding Officer of the unit, Mr Akinlabi Adebanjo, said all electoral materials arrived on time and accreditation and voting commenced at 8:02 a.m.

” Everything is in order, all materials are complete. This election is for the Governorship and agents of the most popular parties are all here,” Adebanjo said.

Mr Terver Kighir, the All Progressives Congress (APC) agent, corroborated the views of the presiding officer, saying, ” everything is calm, if the elections continue like this, then, there will be no problem.”

On his part, Mr Bernard Unenge, the agent of the People’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), commended INEC for the smooth exercise.

Unenge, who is the commissioner for Lands, Survey and Minerals, also commended the electoral umpire for the smooth commencement of the polls.

At the All Saints Primary school polling unit, the presiding officer, Mr Japheth Zibo, also said the process was going on smoothly.(NAN)

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